One afternoon this past November, as our Advanced Chemistry class filed into Ms. Taylor’s room, we were greeted not only by her smiling face but also by a special guest: JD (John Diego Arrango, Director of the STEAMx Program). Together, they introduced us to a new project that combined chemistry and art—the epitome of STEAMx.

First, we selected a molecule, researched it, wrote about it, drew its structure, and understood its function (science!). Next, we designed an artistic representation of that molecule, relating it to its structure and function (art!). Then, we prepared our piece for 3D printing in Tinkercad, an online 3D design platform new to many of us (technology!). Finally, we devised methods to build our sculptures, involving geometry, scaling, and lots of measurement (engineering and math!).

This project was one of the most unique and captivating experiences I have had at Lincoln. It encouraged us to think about science with an eye toward its beauty rather than its difficulty, while promoting an increased conceptual understanding and various kinds of problem-solving. During the project’s introduction, Ms. Taylor and JD explained that it was particularly important for our class to practice thinking in 3D because, biologically, female brains have greater difficulty with this kind of visualization. Understanding this made the project feel not only exciting but also empowering.

This project also felt like quite a privilege. Our unique access to 3D printing allowed us to engage with scientific creativity in a way that many are unable to. This was my first time using Lincoln’s 3D printers, and I now believe they are one of the most important and impactful tools on campus. As a student who does not focus heavily on technology in my studies, 3D printing provided a bridge between the digital and creative realms, a technological path I was previously unfamiliar with and excited to explore. These printers encouraged us not to be passive chemistry learners but hands-on builders and scientists, able to concretely visualize conceptually dense topics with a previously unavailable level of understanding.